The Apple Tree

Long ago there was a large apple tree which offered delicious apples to the people.

One summer afternoon, a little boy became to rest under the shade of the tree and became its close friend. He started coming there everyday to play with the tree. He climbed its branches, hugged its trunk and eat apples. The tree was kind and loving. It enjoyed spending time with the little boy.

After few months, the little boy went to his boarding school. So he did not come to play with the tree for months.

One afternoon, the boy came to see the apple tree. The tree was very happy to see the boy. It asked the boy to play with him. But the boy said, "I am no more a little boy who can climb and jump on your branches".

The tree was very sad to hear this, but he requested the boy again to play with it. The boy refused again.

The tree then politely asked ghe boy what he needed. The said, "I want toys to play with like all my other friends. But my parent are poor and cannoy buy me toys I want to play with."

The tree was emphatic. He said, "Lovely child I am a tree. I donot have money to help you with. But I can offer you the apples which you can sell in the market and get money to buy toys for yourself."

So the generous tree offered the boys a basket of rich apples. The boy left with the basket but never returned to see the tree for several years.

The tree remembered the boy and became very sad. It stopped bearing apples and its leaves withered over time.

Years passed and seasons changed. After almost a period of ten years, the boy came to tree. He was now a youngster.

The tree was very happy to see the boy and asked him to play with it. The boy refused; saying, "I cannot play with as I am in hurry. I have come to find wood for furnituring our new home. Could you help me in this?"

The tree was kind and generous. He told the boy, "Dear boy, my wood could be helpful. You can cut my branches and take as much wood as you need."

The boy cut many branches and took the wood to his home. After this he didnot returned for years.

The tree eargerly awaited for the boy. The boy returned after sevrral years as a middle aged man. The tree reconized him and was very happy to see him.

The apple tree again asked him, "Can you play with me?’

The man refused and said, "I am old and tired. I want to make a boat and sail in it to various places for leisure. Can you help me?"

The tree said, "I donot have boat to give you. But you can use my wood from trunk to make a boat for yourself".

The man axed the trunk and made boat for himself. The tree was left only with its roots. The man sailed across the seas and never came to see the tree until he was old.

The tree called him with same affection and said, "My dear boy can you play with now...".

The old man said, "Friend. Life is a long journey. I am tired and need rest. Can you give me place for resting?"

The apple tree said, "Come and take rest in my roots. These old roots are the best place to find your peace". The man sat near the roots. His eyes were filled with tears abd heart with remose.